Watch: Michaela Brake becomes all-time top try-scorer in women’s SVNS

Michaela Brake has overtaken former teammate Portia Woodman-Wickliffe in the history books by becoming the all-time leading try-scorer in women’s HSBC SVNS Series. Brake needed three tries at SVNS Vancouver to reach the milestone but ended up scoring five against Ireland.

Brake ran out onto the synthetic turf at the Canadian venue on Saturday afternoon (NZST) with history within reach. New Zealand were about to begin their title defence in Vancouver, but all eyes were on the speedster sporting the famous No. 6 jersey.

Mahina Paul was first to strike for the Black Ferns Sevens in the opening minute, but then it was well and truly the Brake show who broke Woodman-Wickliffe’s all-time try-scoring tally after running in a barrage of early scores against the fighting Irish.

Brake scored two tries in as many minutes as the New Zealanders ran up a commanding lead against last season’s SVNS Perth champions. The two-time Olympic gold medallist drew level with Woodman-Wickliffe with that second effort, but records are meant to be broken.

The moment Michaela Brake created #HSBSSVNS history 🇳🇿👏#HSBCSVNSVAN pic.twitter.com/8OMDyqYe14

— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) February 21, 2025

Breaking records. Setting standards 🤯

Congratulations to Michaela Brake on becoming the highest try-scorer in women’s #HSBCSVNS series history#HSBCSVNSVAN pic.twitter.com/7KoRzmQp5s

— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) February 21, 2025

After breaking through a tackle attempt, Brake raced away for a trademark score that was fitting of the historic moment, with the New Zealander strolling into the in-goal before safely placing the ball down with two hands under the posts.

“Here’s Brake again, this is what she loves, chopping back in field,” commentator Rikki Swannell said on the broadcast.

“For 10 years one name has stood atop the try-scoring stats. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe changed the face of women’s rugby, Michaela Brake has taken that legacy to a new level.

“The all-time leading try-scorer in women’s sevens history.”

Incredibly, Brake wasn’t done there, with the try-scoring phenomenon completing an incredible haul with efforts in the seventh and eighth minutes. With five tries in just over one-half of rugby sevens, it was a legendary performance to match the history-making feat.

Alena Saili, Stacey Waaka and Jorja Miller also got on the scoresheet as the Black Ferns Sevens ran away with a 58-7 annihilation of the Irish. Clar Gorman scored the sole try for the women in green after racing away in the 10^th minute.

But, at full-time, it was all about one woman.

This was Michaela Brake’s moment.

“Full credit to Portia Woodman,” Brake said on the broadcast. “She’s been the top try-scorer for her whole career and she set those standards, she put women’s sevens on the map. To chase her has been an honour and I’m very grateful she was on my team.

“She’s been a role model of mine, ever since I’ve been in this team since 2012… I’m going to hold onto it for as long as I can until Maddi Levi passes me.”

In other women’s results earlier on day one at SVNS Vancouver, Japan snapped their losing streak against Fiji with a 19-14 win. Great Britain also recorded a 17-190 win over France, which replicated the heroics of the men’s team who also beat the French earlier.

The USA are also off and running at the Canadian event after beating China 21-10 in Pool B. Those are the other two teams in New Zealand’s pool, with the Kiwis chasing pole position in the group before the knockout rounds.